Is the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park?
Hidden in Yosemite National Park’s peaceful northwest corner, Hetch Hetchy Valley is a treasure worth visiting in all seasons. Located at 3,900 feet, Hetch Hetchy boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park and is an ideal place for thundering spring waterfalls and wildflower displays.
What happened to Hetch Hetchy Valley?
Despite opposition from many citizens, including most of the nation’s leading newspapers, Congress passed the Raker Act in 1913 allowing the city of San Francisco to destroy Hetch Hetchy. The City built a dam and reservoir, drowning this beautiful valley, even though other less-damaging sites existed.
What is the Hetch Hetchy Valley and why is it significant?
Hetch Hetchy was once a resplendent glacier carved valley, with towering cliffs and waterfalls cascading onto a serene valley floor. Pioneer conservationist John Muir called it a “remarkably exact counterpart” to the now world-famous Yosemite Valley – 15 miles to its south.
Where is Hetch Hetchy located?
Yosemite National Park
Located in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy refers to a valley in the Sierra Nevada and a reservoir that supplies water to the San Francisco Bay Area. The valley is drained by the Tuolumne River.
Do you need a pass to go to Hetch Hetchy?
There is no access to Hetch Hetchy trailheads when the road is closed. The park entrance fee can be paid upon arrival. Park passes can be purchased, wilderness permits are issued, and brochures are available here. Permits are not required for day hikes (except if hiking to Half Dome).
Why do we Restore Hetch Hetchy?
The mission of Restore Hetch Hetchy is to return the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park to its natural splendor ─ while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the Tuolumne River. Park visitors will come to Hetch Hetchy and watch the valley come back to life.
Is the Hetch Hetchy dam being removed?
The removal of the Hetch Hetchy dam and reservoir isn’t even in the planning stages yet; the measure on November’s ballot simply asked voters to earmark money for research and design of a new water system to take the place of the reservoir.
What was President Roosevelt’s role in Hetch Hetchy?
In 1908, Theodore Roosevelt’s Department of the Interior granted San Francisco the authority to dam the Tuolumne River in Hetch Hetchy Valley for use as a reservoir. For Pinchot, a close friend and adviser to the president, this was an obvious choice.
Where in California is Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite National Park, scenic mountain region in east-central California, U.S. It is situated about 140 miles (225 km) east of the city of San Francisco and some 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Sacramento.
How full is the Hetch Hetchy reservoir?
Currently, the reservoir is holding 93 billion gallons and continues to rise. The outlook calls for water storage to grow to 117 billion gallons, which is full capacity. During a normal year, snowmelt into the reservoir is enough to fill it completely three times.